Page 23 of Reaper Said Mine

"No, it was a blade with a question mark tied to the handle."

I like her immediately, which means I distrust her immediately after that.

Across the room, a Reaper servant places a tray of small glasses on a table. Theryki takes one but does not drink. "Gnash is a remarkable figure. Violent, yes. Unrefined by traditional standards. Yet he has accomplished something no outside power has managed. He has given Reapers a fixed point around which to organize."

"And you want that fixed point inside Coalition influence."

"I want a volatile region stabilized before older powers use it as an excuse to bleed again."

"That sounds noble."

"Nobility is usually self-interest with better lighting."

At least she admits it.

Before I can press further, a deep voice booms from the entrance. "If this is what passes for Coalition hospitality, I now understand why their soldiers are so eager to die elsewhere."

General Gobold enters as if the doorway has personally offended him. He is Vakutan, broad, red-scaled, and scarred by age into a faded pink along his temples and jaw. His uniform carries enough decorations to anchor a small shuttle, and his glare sweeps the room with the blunt force of artillery. Ambassador Wilcox trails half a step behind him, already looking tired.

Theryki’s smile never moves. "General Gobold, how generous of you to bring volume to a room suffering from nuance."

Gobold snorts. "Ambassador Theryki. Still wrapping chains in perfume, I see."

"Still mistaking bluntness for virtue, I see."

Wilcox mutters, "And we are off to a splendid start."

Gobold’s eyes land on me. "Who is this?"

I introduce myself before anyone can do it worse. "Ursa Ramone, IHC-Now."

"The Horus IV girl."

"My business cards say correspondent now."

His heavy brow lowers. For one uncomfortable moment, I think he might be angry. Instead, he gives a curt nod that feels almost respectful. "You had steadier aim with a compad than half the officers in that disaster had with fleet assets."

The compliment is so unexpected I take a second too long to answer. "Thank you, General."

"Do not thank me. The truth should have been documented by adults with a spine."

Theryki sips her untouched drink now, watching us over the rim. "The general becomes almost charming when assigning blame to historical command failures."

Gobold points at her without looking. "And you become almost tolerable when silent."

Wilcox steps between the lines of fire with practiced exhaustion. "Ms. Ramone, I would advise you not to stand too near either of them unless your insurance covers rhetorical shrapnel."

"I signed the waiver."

"Everyone signs the waiver. No one reads the emotional damage clause."

Gobold folds his massive arms. "You want Gnash."

"I want an interview with him."

"You will not get it."

"That seems to be the popular view."